Peak snakebite season hits Nepal amid critical antidote shortage

Nepal is facing a severe shortage of anti-snake venom, leaving hundreds of victims vulnerable during the peak snakebite season. Hospitals and specialized treatment centers nationwide are struggling with critically low or completely depleted stocks of the life-saving antidote.

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We don’t have a single dose of anti-snake venom and haven’t received any supplies for hospitals and snakebite treatment centres. The number of venomous snakebite incidents has risen significantly of late, but we don’t have any anti-snake venom to supply.

Health officials report a significant increase in venomous snakebite incidents recently, but the lack of anti-snake venom hinders treatment. Ujjwal Yadav, an information officer at the Provincial Health Logistic Management Centre in Madhesh province, stated that they have no doses available and have not received any supplies. "The number of venomous snakebite incidents has risen significantly of late, but we don’t have any anti-snake venom to supply," he told the Post.

Snakebites and related fatalities are a common occurrence in Nepal during the summer months. Official data indicates at least 53 deaths and 716 hospitalizations due to venomous snakebites since May 14. However, data from individual treatment centers suggests the actual figures are considerably higher. For instance, one center in Kapilvastu has treated over 500 cases since mid-April, including more than a dozen involving venomous snakes.

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Most snakebite treatment centres in our province have exhausted their stocks. Some have only five vials left, others 11. We receive dozens of phone calls from health workers requesting anti-snake venom every day, but we don’t have any.

The government supplies the anti-snake venom free of charge, and it cannot be purchased from pharmacies. Provincial centers are responsible for distributing the antidote to hospitals. "Most snakebite treatment centres in our province have exhausted their stocks," Yadav added. "Some have only five vials left, others 11. We receive dozens of phone calls from health workers requesting anti-snake venom every day, but we don’t have any."

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The risk of patients dying increases if anti-snake venom is not available. In such cases, there is also a greater risk of medics and health facilities being attacked by victims’ relatives.

Despite repeated requests from health officials to the federal health ministry to replenish stocks, no action has been taken. Madhesh province alone requires 800 to 1,000 vials annually. Officials warn that the risk of patient mortality increases significantly without the antidote, and this shortage could also lead to attacks on medical staff and facilities by distressed relatives of victims.

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The responsibility for supplying anti-snake venom to the provinces lies with the federal government. This year, the [federal] Ministry of Health and Food Safety has not supplied us with the required quantity of anti-snake.